ORLANDO, Fla. — All of the sleepless nights weren't unexpected in Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer's world. The inability to get a season full of offensive struggles turned around can breed anxiety.

It was Beamer's ever-vanishing waistline that caught his attention. Though he'd successfully dieted in the offseason — going from 206 pounds at the end of last season to a svelte 172 pounds by the start of this season — there was a point when some extra unintentional weight loss got a little crazy.

He was skipping meals, getting down to 166 pounds around midseason. He's back up to near his early-season weight, but that's not because the issues with his offense have been resolved.

There are undeniable problems on offense as Tech (6-6) heads into Friday's meeting with defensive-minded Rutgers (9-3) in Orlando, Fla., in the Russell Athletic Bowl. Finding a way to spark offensive consistency and re-establish the running game will be Beamer's biggest offseason concerns.

"I've been telling coaches, 'If you want lose weight, have a season like this one,' " Beamer said Thursday.

"I take great pride in not getting too high and not getting too low, and that's the way I try to handle situations."

Beamer's uneasiness may result in a serious upheaval of his offensive coaching staff, but that remains to be seen in the days after the bowl.

Though quarterback Logan Thomas has struggled to duplicate the passing consistency he enjoyed last season (falling to a 52.6 completion percentage this season after completing 59.8 percent last season; throwing 17 touchdowns and 14 interceptions this season after tossing 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season), Tech's troubles running the ball illustrate the big picture.

Thomas leads the Hokies with 528 rushing yards. He's on pace to become the first quarterback to lead Tech in rushing since 1965, when Bobby Owens had 526 yards. That's not an encouraging statistic, considering Tech runs a pro-style attack as opposed to an option offense.

With the prolific running-back era of Darren Evans, Ryan Williams and David Wilson a thing of the past, Tech's running game has suffered.

Tech's running backs, led by true freshman J.C. Coleman with 486 yards, have combined to run for more than 99 yards in just four games this season. Coleman was the last Tech running back to score a touchdown — way back on Oct. 13 via an 86-yard run in the fourth quarter of Tech's 41-20 win against Duke.

"We haven't played as well as we expected to be able to play this year," offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring said. "So, to be satisfied — no. I like the direction we're going, and what we're doing offensively. Now, the emphasis is to do it better."

In an effort to make its offense less predictable and give defenses something to think about, Tech added more varied looks this season, with new motion packages and a pistol formation along with a no-huddle approach at times. It didn't translate to positive statistics.

Coming into a game against a Rutgers defense that's fifth in the nation in scoring defense (14.25 points per game) and 14th in total defense (321.3 yards per game), Tech is tied for 71st in total offense (391.83). That's down from 35th last season, when Tech averaged 413 ypg.

"We played a lot of good defenses this year, but I don't think we played one any better than this (Rutgers) defense, I will tell you," Beamer said. "They are right there."

Tech is also 63rd in rushing offense (157.8) after finishing 28th last season (186.9 ypg). It's Tech's lowest per-game average since the '07 season (133.5 yards per game, 82nd in the nation).

Despite Thomas' struggles, Tech's passing production is up from last season (234.1 yards per game this season, 61st in the nation; 226.1 ypg last season, 66th), but Tech is 78th in scoring offense (26.08 points per game).

"I think we are on to some good things," Beamer said Thursday regarding the changes to Tech's offense. "I just think we have to be better at what we do, and usually that means cutting back. Sometimes you try to do too much … Consistency comes from doing things well time after time."